Mers have two stomachs: The first stomach has a very high acidity level and is found at the humanoid torso area. The acid in the first stomach is higher then a human's and can digest harder things then a human stomach, allowing them to digest much more and to kill most harmful bacteria. The food then moves on into the bigger second stomach where it's broken down at a much slower rate. The second stomach is located in the thickest part of the belly.

Mers have two sets of lungs: The first set is like a humans. Pretty straight forward, the second are the interesting ones though. The second pair are called the hydro lungs and are long and more tube like. The hydro lungs are lined with what appear to be small gills, so when the mer breaths water in, the "gills" suck the oxygen from the water in the lungs. Mers sqitch from one to another depending on the environment.

Mers have antifreeze in their blood: Mers are mammals, there for they need to keep a constant body temperature. Up until recently, everyone believed that mers remained warm because of a special kind of blubber under their skin, however that's only partially the reason they can keep warm. Mers also remain warm from a natural biological antifreeze produced from an organ near their large four chambered heart.

Bachelor mers are the most likely to adopt besides moms: A study on mer pods revealed some very surprising results. When presented with an orphaned or abandoned pup, queens with young were the most likely to take them in. Obvious, right? But the second most likely to adopt were surprisingly young bachelor males. Usually they took in only male pups, but were recorded to adopt female pups as well. Scientists aren't sure why this is. Perhaps they relate to the pups or perhaps want something to take care of. Please note that whilst queens and bachelors were documentation to be more likely, an entire pod would most likely feel empathy towards the pup and thus, SOMEONE would take them in.

Mers are mammals: Mers are classified as aquatic mammals. They birth live, they have hair, they are warm blooded and nurse their young with milk. This is also why a family group of them is called a "pod" like with whales and dolphins. (which also happen to be aquatic mammals.)

Mooore questions! What are the most common circumstances that would cause pups to become orphaned, how often does it happen, and what is the most likely/common age for orphaning? What is the average adjustment period for orphaned pups being raised by other non-parent mers? Do orphaned mers raised with bachelor mers still grow up into well-adjusted adults? Do lone mers ever end up in a position where an orphaned pup is around and how do they respond?

Most likely the pup becomes seperated or, more often, the parent is killed by human interferance or from a larger predator like a leviathan.Not TOO often, considering parents know theor babies need them, thus they wouldnt try and take unessisary risks. There isnt really a common age for orphaning.Ajustment time varies, like with humans. Some mers never fully recover, others ajust better, like those who lost them to early to remember...

Mers that are raised by bachlores or untaken maids generally grow up fairly normal, especially if in a pod.

Depends on the loner. Some loners might leave the pup be, others take it in immidately, still others might try and help it but not take it in.